Cat Medication - Exploring Cat Medications

Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

Why are prescriptions generally more effective than other over-the-counter medications?

Prescription medications are usually more effective for the cats than over-the-counter medications because those are specifically designed for the cats and also we know the exact dosages on those drugs. Over-the-counter medications sometimes can be a little bit ambiguous on the dosages so prescription medications are more safe.

Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

Can my cat get what they need from a diet alone?

Diets are really important in the cat's health. Sometimes if they have an illness though, they may need additional medications.

What are commonly used medications for my cat and when would the veterinarian recommend them?

There are lots of medications that we use for cats. Some of the more commonly used medications might be antibiotics for like an infection. We might use anti-nausea drugs if they're vomiting. We might use medications if they have GI upset like diarrhea. There are medications that we use for parasites, fleas. Sometimes we use medications for an itch. There might be medications for their heart which sometimes cats have heart conditions, so we use long-term medications for those.

Do you have any tips on how to give my cat their medicine?

Cats are fun to give medications to. Most commonly used or the most common way we give medications is orally. That can be in the form of a pill or that might be in a liquid. There are transdermal medications for cats that you might be able to put in their ear. Sometimes there are injectables.

Why is it important to avoid self-diagnosing my cat's need for medications?

It's really important to avoid that because cats are very sensitive. Unlike dogs and humans, which has a little bigger window, cats are very sensitive to medications so we have to get the right dosage correct and if you self-diagnose and you get the wrong diagnosis and you get the wrong medication, you're probably doing more harm to your cat than good.

Why is early detection so crucial in getting a good result from cat medications?

The sooner that we diagnose any type of illness and get them on the medication, I think there's a greater opportunity those medications are going to work versus trying to get something towards the end stage of an illness where those medications aren't as effective.

Why should I purchase cat medications from my veterinarian instead of through an online pharmacy?

The primary reason why you should purchase through your veterinarian is that those medications that we have are specific for cats and the veterinarian is going to know that those are handled correctly, that you're getting the right medication, there's no altering of those, they're in date, that those medications are approved for your cat.

If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram

Cat Medication - FAQs 1

Dr. Jim Martin
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital

Do I always need to seek the guidance of a veterinarian when giving my cat medicine?

Yes, that is imperative. You should always ask your veterinarian or call your veterinarian's office if you're going to give your cat any medication.

Can I give aspirin or NSAID to my cat?

We do not recommend that you do that on your own. Sometimes veterinarians do prescribe NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but that should only be under the guidance of your veterinarian.

Are there any human medications that are safe for cats?

There are some human medications that are safe for cats, but it's very important that you ask your veterinarian what those medications are. Let them make the decision on how much and how long to give.

What are the medications that my veterinarian can prescribe if my cat is in pain?

There are a lot of different pain management drugs for cats out there. Cats are very sensitive to a lot of medications, but some of the ones that we use might be again the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, sometimes we recommend Gabapentin, sometimes Tramadol. There's a new drug on the market for cats with arthritis called Silencia. There are a lot of different drugs out there, but it's very important to speak with the veterinarian to define which one will work best for your cat.

What is the best way for me to give my cat medications?

Cats are challenging sometimes to give medications to. Most people give cats medications orally if it's in the form of a pill or a liquid. With a pill, you can put that in some type of food and see if the cat will eat it that way. Some people crush it up and mix it in some type of liquid. There are tools that our veterinary technicians can show you to use, one's what they call a little pill gun. You just put the pill in the end of it and you can push it down the back of the cat's throat. There's a lot of different ways to orally administer pills.

What if my cat is difficult to give medications to, how do I know they took it?

Good question. Cats are always a challenge to give oral medications to. Sometimes when you're putting it in their mouth, they don't swallow. But you can tilt their head back a little bit and make sure they swallow afterward. Sometimes, you can give a little blow on the nose and they'll swallow. There are little tricks like that. And then, of course, when you're done, check the cat around its mouth to see if anything came out, look around where the cat's environment is, look on the floor, look under the cat's tongue, things like that.

Is CBD oil considered a safe and effective cat medication?

Yes, CBD oil is considered safe and effective. The most important thing about CBD oil is to make sure that you're getting it from a reputable source. Some CBD oils are non-FDA regulated, so they don't always know what's in them and what's not in them. I recommend that if you're going to use CBD oil, ask your veterinarian what is the best source for that.